Pro's & Con's of front or rear kitchen

[patjellis]

We are starting the search for the perfect 5'er. Anyone have good or bad experiences with a front or rear kitchens. I think either is appealing but not wanting to make a big mistake. We like total separation of rooms. Any and all suggestions welcome.

pje

[wingnut60]

Welcome to the forum.
Don't have any experience with either floorplan, hopefully someone who has/had one will jump in.
Joe

[Rhagfo]

We have a rear kitchen and DW loves it! LARGE counter space! The refer and stove on back wall with just over 3' of counter to the corner. Then a counter along the side wall just over 5', then a sink peninsula of about 3'.
I would post a picture, but hung on slow cellular connection for 5 more days.

[patjellis]

What about issues with the additional weight in the rear or pulling issues because of the added rear weight. I really think either the RK or a FK is the best for our lifestyle.

[Rhagfo]

What about issues with the additional weight in the rear or pulling issues because of the added rear weight. I really think either the RK or a FK is the best for our lifestyle.

I have never noticed an issue, still carry 22% pin weight.

[Mel11]

I had a rear kitchen unit.
Stuff was always flying out from a ruff ride for contents in kitchen and a lot of weight behind balance point.
My next 2 unit I when for a mid kitchen MUCH better IMO

[pterrydactyl]

Our 1st fiver was a 27’ with rear kitchen. Never had a drawer or door pop open with standard hardware. Nothing broken. I’d be careful opening a soda can or bottle after all the shaking. refridge stayed closed but had to be careful opening the door. My now fiver has had refrigerator door pop open and we list 1 egg in a carton. Few other items on floor. The storage door beneath the oven pops open occasionally. Nothings been broken. Kitchen is just in front of the axels. Hope this helps.

[CoMaddMax]

My parents had a rear kitchen and my mom hated it. Too much stuff bouncing around. Ours is a mid kitchen and we love it!

[fshrmndave]

Here is an additional problem with a rear kitchen if the refrigerator vents are on the back of the unit. If you traveling in rain or wet snow with salt added the spray from the road get sucked right into the vents.

[joleyred]

Mid kitchen here and love it.

[mavrick8019]

We have a rear kitchen and my wife lives it. Have had no issues with things flying around. There is alot more room for guests and just moving around

[ciara_belle]

We just ordered this alpine 3800 fk... i loved the layout.. won't be arriving til end of sept so we shall see. prior i had mid kitchen - and nothing rarely ever moved.. coffee maker / ice maker just sat by the stove... no worries. hoping its just as good in the front kitchen.

https://www.keystonerv.com/fifth-wheels/alpine/floorplans/3800fk/

[patjellis]

Sure don't like the thought of the salt getting into the vents. Guess we won't consider a rear kitchen. Thanks to all.

[Army Guy]

Rear kitchen and love it. Plenty of room in kitchen. No issues with drawers or food stuff. Have had both mid level kitchen and rear kitchen.

[Hooter56]

We have a rear kitchen, and we love it. We pondered for many weeks as to which would work best for us.
No issues with stuff being tossed about. The fridge is right by the door, so its simple to pass the food out, or more importantly, beer, for outdoor consumption.

[Rhagfo]

Here is an additional problem with a rear kitchen if the refrigerator vents are on the back of the unit. If you traveling in rain or wet snow with salt added the spray from the road get sucked right into the vents.

Travel in the rain all the time, never an issue with refer on back wall.

[Rhagfo]

You might consider total floor plan. Rear kitchen mid entry like we have you don’t have all living room traffic passing through the kitchen area.
In addition all of our possible fire sources are beyond all sleeping areas and the door. With a mid kitchen several fire sources are between both sleeping areas and the mid door.
I also feel rear kitchen rear door is bad, once again all traffic passes through the kitchen, and once again several fire sources are between sleeping areas and the door, just food for thought.

I will add that we did have an issue once, traveling north on 101 just south of Seaside, OR road had been flooded within the last few days. Same old “Rough Road” that had been there for years, but the road surface had a new buckle much like a parking lot speed bump! TV felt strong bump (new Bilstein shocks) I still think the 5er tires left the ground! Well had beer and pop on the refer door broke three of the four shelf’s. I installed shocks on the 5er within a month!

[Waldo Camper]

We have a 2016 Bay Hill 340RK which is a 39'+ with rear kitchen. It is great for the DW but not so much for my waistline. For example, this morning was eggs over easy, cast iron skillet home fries, bacon, sliced fresh tomatoes and toast.

The only drawback is the seating area. It is not nearly as comfortable for family and friends as the 2001 Coachmen Royal 325 RLS we had before.

Contentment in life is a series of tradeoffs.

[pterrydactyl]

Whoever said RV camping meant sacrificing was wrong. Sounds like you have an excellent cook and are living the good life while on the road. Have great travels!

[fjr vfr]

There are so many things to consider. To start with what size trailer are you looking for? Do you take short trips within one day travel time or do you require days living on the road?
If you are living part of the time traveling between destinations, then consider if you can get by without extending out your slide/slides? I've seen many trailers you can't get to the fridge or toilet when the slide is in. You might not be able to use the entertainment center with the slide in? None of this maters much if all your trips are within a days travel, but if on the road can be a big disadvantage.



One of our considerations was a trailer we could live in when staying overnight at the Walmart rv park or truck stop or rest area. When we stop for lunch DW has to be able to get to the fridge and prepare food.



One other thing we like about our rear living is the windows! We have a very big window in back another at the dinette along with a number of smaller windows. Many other layouts had limited window area. We personally like to feel part of our surroundings. I'm a little claustrophobic...lol Of course everyone is different and that's the point. We are all relating our own experiences. Hope it helps. Good luck.